Christopher Joyce says Cork work ethic cannot be faulted

First things first. Christopher Joyce has resumed operations in the heart of the Cork hurlers’ defence this year, but he lost 12 months to the dreaded cruciate injury after crumpling in last year’s league clash with Dublin.

It was a tough journey rehabbing his knee back to full fitness, says the Na Piarsaigh man.

“I’m delighted, absolutely thrilled. It was a long year and there was a lot of hard work that had to be done. At the end of the day, though, Deccie (Declan O’Sullivan, team physio) gave me a route to go and I followed it as closely as I could - that was what got me back as quickly as I did. I’m over the moon to be back.”